Reference no: EM131129854

Changing Criminal Personalities Although some rehabilitation programs have been effective at curbing recidivism, others have been less effective and still others unsuccessful. The rehabilitation programs shown to be the most effective follow a series of principles known broadly as the principles of effective correctional treatment. These principles provide evidence-based indicators and practices of effective correctional treatment to determine who should be targeted for rehabilitation programs. Since rehabilitation programs have been shown to actually increase criminal behavior for low-risk offenders, high-risk offenders are usually the target for these programs. Screening processes and risk assessment tools determine the risk level for offenders. In addition, risk assessment tools determine factors to target for change. For example, if an offender has a substance abuse problem, then his or her rehabilitation program should include a substance abuse treatment component. If anger management has emerged as a contributing factor to criminal behavior, then programs aimed at behavior change are vital. The hope is that by addressing risk factors associated with criminal behavior, offenders will refrain from committing another crime when released. To prepare for this Discussion: •Review Chapter 8 of the course text, The Psychology of Criminal Conduct. Focus on the impact that social contexts have on the development of personality traits. •Review Chapter 11 of the course text, The Psychology of Criminal Conduct. Pay attention to the explanation of the principles of effective correctional treatment. Reflect on how the risk principle determines who should be targeted for change and how the need principle determines what should be targeted for change. •Review Chapter 13 of the course text, The Psychology of Criminal Conduct. Consider whether punishment strategies are able to reduce recidivism among offenders. Reflect on whether punishment strategies are incompatible with rehabilitation strategies. •Choose three to four personality traits that criminals often possess. Then, reflect on how the strategies of punishment and rehabilitation can be combined to diminish the negative behavior associated with these traits. With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 4 a description of three or four criminal personality traits and the behaviors they often produce that are likely to be positively affected by combining strategies of rehabilitation and punishment. Explain why the behaviors associated with these personality traits would positively benefit from the combination of strategies.